Dallas, TX [September 2024]—Spark Biomedical, a global leader in wearable neurostimulation technology, proudly announces the launch of the Spark Biomedical Innovation Fellowship. This year-long program is designed to empower resident clinicians with unparalleled opportunities in medical device innovation and entrepreneurship.

The Innovation Fellowship aims to cultivate a new generation of leaders in medical technology by providing intensive, hands-on experience in areas critical to the advancement of therapeutic medical devices. Throughout the 12-month program, participants will work closely with a best-in-class interdisciplinary team from clinical, engineering, and business.

Meet the Research Fellows

The inaugural cohort of fellows consists of two fourth-year neurological surgery residents selected for their innovative ideas and dedication to the improvement of healthcare.

• ‍Ryan Chiu, MD, intends to deepen his understanding of developing and implementing clinical trials for new biomedical devices.
• ‍Keith George, MD, seeks to leverage his engineering background to enhance medical device innovation and gain comprehensive insight into the lifecycle of medical devices from conception to clinical implementation.

Empowering Clinicians

Fellows will gain hands-on skills in critical areas including:

• ‍Clinical Trial Management: Designing and executing trials, protocol submission, and trial enrollment.
• ‍Federal Grants and Investor Engagement: Writing grant proposals and pitching to potential investors.
• ‍FDA Regulatory Science: Navigating the FDA approval process for medical devices.
• ‍Publication and Presentation: Preparing research for publication and presenting findings to peers and industry leaders.
• ‍Intellectual Property: Develop an understanding of the technical, science, and legal aspects of patents

“This fellowship brings in talented medical professionals to solve challenging health care needs, while nurturing their entrepreneurial mindset. Fellows will be on the front lines of innovation with a team of like-minded healthcare leaders,” stated Dr. Navid Khodaparast, Ph.D., Co-founder & Chief Science Officer at Spark Biomedical.  

The Spark Biomedical Innovation Fellowship aims to set a new standard for medical research, nurturing talents that will aid in pushing the boundaries of medical science and patient care. This initiative reflects Spark Biomedical’s commitment to advancing health innovation.

About Spark Biomedical

Spark Biomedical, Inc. is a leading U.S.-based wearable neurostimulation solutions developer devoted to the life-saving work of helping 36.3 million people worldwide overcome withdrawal, heal from addiction, and achieve the better quality of life they deserve. With opioid-related misuse and overdose deaths on the rise, the company’s mission is to eliminate opioid use disorder by working to address the full lifecycle, including withdrawal management, opioid-sparing, relapse prevention, and PTSD/trauma abatement.

Spark Biomedical is helping patients take the first step of overcoming acute opioid withdrawal with its FDA-cleared wearable technology, the Sparrow Ascent— Transcutaneous Auricular Neurostimulation (tAN®) for Opioid Withdrawal Relief. Sparrow Ascent provides an easy, safe, and effective drug-free treatment option supported by clinical evidence. Next steps are underway with the launch of two NIDA-funded clinical trials to improve adult relapse rates and help infants suffering from Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome (NOWS). Learn more at sparkbiomedical.com.

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